Method of cleaning fabrics or the like



P 1942- F. BRECKENRlbGE 2,296,258

METHOD OE CLEANING FABRICS OR THE LIKE Filed June 11, 1940 I5 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES: INVENTOR FRANK BRECKENRIDGE FIq 1 Wm/av ATTOR EY Sept. 22, 1 F. BRECKENRIDGE METHOD OF CLEANING FABRICS OR THE L IKE s Shets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1940 AXIS OF VERTICAL CL FIOT'ATI ON DIRECTION AXIS OF ROTATION INVENTOR FRANK snsgxanmnaz BY 7 ATToR lY 0F ROTTlON FIIII- WITNESSES:

P 1942- F. BRECKENRIDGE METHOD OF CLEANING FABRICS OR THE LIKE s SheetS -Sheet s i iled June 11, 1940 N W A m R INVENTOR FRANK BRECKENRIDGE WITNESSES:

f ATTOB Y Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF CLEANING FABRICS OR THE LIKE Frank Breckenridge, Mansfield, Ohio, asslgnor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Com- 'pany, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 11, 1940, Serial No. 339,841

4 Claims. (Cl. 8-159) the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of one form of washing machine which may be employed for practicing my improved method;

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 arediagrammatic sectional views of the rotatable basket shown in Fig. 1 and respectively show the arrangement of the fabrics during the cleaning, distributing, and spinning periods; and

Figs. 2A, 3A, and 4A are diagrammatic sectional views taken, respectively, along the lines II--II, III-IILand IV--IV of Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

fabrics is carried out at a relatively high peripheral speed, it being understood that not only is the speed of rotation relatively high but that the circumference of the bundle is increased during the expansion step.

When fabrics are cleansed and centrifuged in accordance'wlth the method set forth, the power requirements during acceleration are maintained at a minimum as the moment of inertia or flywheel effect of the concentrated bundle of fabrics is relatively low. The effectiveness of this meth- 0d in uniformly distributing the fabrics in the annular formation substantially reduces vibration which has been, heretofore, objectionable in apparatus in which fabrics are cleansed and centrifuged in a single container.

Myimproved method includes the steps of first cleansingthe fabrics in a body of cleaning fluid; removing the. body of fluid, subsequent to the cleaning operation, and concentrating the fabrics in a substantially uniform bundle of relatively small diameter, while rotating the bundle at a relatively low speed; accelerating the bundle to a relatively high centrifuging speed in the absence of the body of fluid and transforming the bundle into an annular formation of relatively large diameter; and finally centrifuging a substantial portion oh-the fluid from the annular bundle during its rotation at high speed.

Cleaning of the fabrics is effected by repeatedly elevating separated portions of the load of fabrics from the body of fluid and then returning the same by gravity to the fluid during which step the fabrics are subjected to a scrubbing action. The cleaning operation is terminated by the re moval of the body of fluid and the concentrating or distributing step is initiated during the removal of the fluid.

The separated portions of the fabrics which are elevated and dropped are concentrated in a region of relatively small diameter and complement each other in forming a substantially uniform bundle. Acceleration of the concentrated bundle of fabrics is next effected and, during acceleration, the bundle is expanded into anpansion is about an axis inclined substantially from both the horizontal and the vertical. Cen-' trifuging of the fluid from the annular bundle of My improved method of cleansing and centrifuging fabrics, will be hereinafter described in detail as applied to a domestic washing machine but it is to be understood that this method may be effectively applied to dry'cleaning of fabrics or to laundering of the same in larger quantities than are usually accommodated in a domestic washing machine. The method may be effectively carried out in any process involving the treatment of fabrics in'a liquid solution and the subsequent centrifuging of fluid from the fabrics.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 1 of the drawings wherein I have elected to show a clothes washing machine of the domestic type which is so constructed and arranged that my improved method'may be readily practiced. This machine includes a container or basket III which is generally of frusto-conical configuration and includes an end wall I I of major dimension and an end wall H of minor dimension. The end wall H has an access opening l3 formed therein for the ingress and egress of clothes and the end wall I! is dished inwardly to define a hump l4 within the basket Ill. The end walls H and I2 areconnected by a substantially frusto-conical side wall l5 which is perforate throughout a substantial portion of its extent; a number of the perforations being shown at I6. The side wall I5 is well-rounded, as shown at [1, which portion ll defines the region of the basket [0 of major diameter. A series of vanes [8 are circumferentially spaced within the basket I0 and extend from the region of the basket of relatively large diameter toward the hump M. The vanes terminate in spaced relation with the hump If so that a substantially uninterrupted annular region [9 is defined peripherally of the hump I4,the purpose of which will be referred to in detail hereinafter. The basket and vane structure which I have shown is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Stuart R. Baird, Serial No. 268,103, filed April 15, 1939, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The basket or container I is disposed within a tub structure, generally indicated at 2|, and also shown of frusto-conical configuration and closely following the lines of the container Ill, so that a substantial portion of the water contained within the tub structure 2| occupies the basket in. The tub structure 2|includes end walls 22 and 28 disposed, respectively, at the ends thereof of minor and major diameter, which end walls are connected by a substantially frustoconical side wall 24 having a curved portion 25 where it joins the end wall 23. The end wall 23 of the tub structure is provided with an access opening 23a which registers with the access opening I: of the basket and which is closed by a suitable gasketed hinged door 23b.

Rotation of the basket or container I0 about an axis inclined substantially from the vertical and the horizontal is effected at a relatively low washing speed and a relatively high centrifuging 'speed by a two-speed mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral 28, and carried by the end wall 22 of the tub structure 2|. The driven member or shaft 21 of the two-speed mechanism 26 drives the basket It at different speeds depending upon the adjustment of the two-speed mechanism 26. The mechanism 26 is driven at constant speed by a pulley-28 that is belted, as shown at 29, to a motor 3|, the latter being supported on the under portion of the tub structure 2|. As the specific construction of the twospeed mechanism 26 forms no part of the present invention, it has not been shown in detail for the sake of brevity, but it will be understood that suitable gearing is contained therein for high and low speed operation of the shaft 21 and, furthermore, that a suitable adjustment is provided for effecting the two-speed operation. A two-speed mechanism of the type shown at 28 is described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 305,512, filed November 21, 1939, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. A washing and spinning machine having a tub and basket structure generally constructed and arranged in the manner described heretofore is disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 203,804, filed April 23, 1938. and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

Washing water is admitted to the tub from a suitable source through a conduit 32 which terminates in a nozzle 33 for directing water through the access opening I3 of the basket. Vitiated water is drained from the tub through a suitable opening 34 which communicates by means of a conduit 35 and a valve structure 36 with the inlet of a pump 31. The pump 31 is driven by a motor 3| and discharges the water through a conduit 38 to drain. As shown, the tub 2|, the two-speed mechanism 26 and the motor 3| define major elements of a unitary ill structure which is supported within an enclosing housing, generally indicated at 39. An opening 4| is formed in a front wall of the housing, which opening is closed by a suitable cover 42. When the washing apparatus is not in use, the cover 42 is moved to its closed position as shown and, during active periods of the apparatus, the cover 42 is moved to its open position for rendering the door 23b accessible to the operator. During loading and unloading periods, the door 23b is swung to its open position upwardly through the opening in the casing.

It will be understood that the machine described heretofore is shown, by way of example,

for effecting my improved method and that vari' ous other forms of washing and spinning urachines, or dry cleaning machines in which fabrics are centrifuged, may be employed.

The steps in my improved washing and centrifuging method will now be described. The fabrics to be treated with a suitable detergent are placed within the basket structure II and the gasketed door 23b is closed, after which water at a suitable temperature is admitted to the tub 2| through the conduit 32 and nozzle 32 until the level attains the line indicated by the letter A. Rotation of the basket at relatively low speed for washing the fabrics is initiated upon energization of the motor II, it being understood at this time that the two-speed mechanism 20 is adjusted for slow speed operation.

The container or basket II is rotated in the direction of the arrows, see Figs. 2A, 3A, and 4A, at a speed of approximatelybl R. P. M. The washing step in my method may be best understood by referring to Figs. 2 and 2A. During the washing period, the fabrics within the basket III are elevated from the body of washing water by means of the rotating vanes It. The vanes l8 become more and more inclined as they move upwardly because of the inclination of the axis about which they rotate so that, the clothes slide from the vanes in an elevated region of the basket and are deposited by gravity upon the dome or hump H. The distance that the fabrics are elevated during this movement is a function of the degree of inclination of the axis of the basket, the shape of the vanes and the speed of rotation.

After the fabrics dropped by the upwardlymoving vanes engage the hump l4, they are carried forwardly thereon in the direction of rotation. At the same time, some downward sliding of the fabrics over the hump ll by gravity is eflected because of the lubricating and floating effects of the washing water, copious quantities of which are deposited on the hump at this time. When the fabrics moving over the hump ll engage the body of water they are directed forwardly of the basket and are subsequently elevated by the vanes. This cycle of operation continues during the washing period. The general movement of the fabrics is shown by the dotted lines B on Figs. 2 and 2A. The agitation of the fabrics in the body of washing water and the scrubbing action effected by the vanes and the hump I, over which the fabrics pass, provide a very efficient washing action.

The washing action which I employ is particularly advantageous as I have found that substantially no balling of the fabrics obtains. In this connection, any slight balling of the fabrics during their elevation by the vanes in counteracted by the movement imparted to the fabrics as they engage and pass over the rotating dome.

When the washing of the fabrics is to be terminated, the drain valve 36 is opened so that the pump 31 operates to discharge the body of water from the basket l0 and tub 2|. In accordance with the invention, rotation of the basket I. at the washing speed (in the example given, 51 R. P. M.) continues during the draining of the washing water from the tub. The elevation of the fabrics by the vanes and the falling thereof upon the dome ll by gravity continue as described heretofore. In the absence of a body of water in the container Ill and the lubricating or floating effect of large quantities of water on the in the annular region indicated by the numeral 19.

It will be apparent that each bundle of fabrics dropped. by the vanes is deposited successfully upon the dome and that each bundle defines a segment of a circle upon the portion of the dome adjacent the vane from which the fabrics are dropped. The segmental bundles, thus deposited, define complementary sections of a circular bundle which is concentrated, primarily, in the annular region l9 peripherally of the dome.

This operation continues until all of the fabrics have been elevated and deposited in the circular formation. The fabrics are bestshown in this position in Figs. 3 and 3A. Some of the lighter form distribution of the fabrics prior to acceleration and effective centrifuging of the fabrics. By uniformly distributing the fabrics, vibrafabrics which are engaged with the dome may frictionally cling thereto and extend over the apex or center of the hump but the major portion of the bundle is in the ,annular region 19;

the diameter of the bundle at this time being relatively small when compared with the major diameter of the basket.

The proper distribution of the fabrics over the dome at this time is affected by the shape ordnclination of the walls of the dome and the speed of rotation, it being understood that, at this time, the fabricsare subjected to both gravitational and centrifugal forces. In this connection, the distributedbundle of fabrics is maintained intact by gravity but it is affected to some extent by centrifugal force. As the moment of inertia of the circular bundle of fabrics in this position is of a relatively low value; acceleration of the fabrics, which defines the next step in the proc- ,ess, may be readily effected. Acceleration is initiated by adjustment of the two-speed mechanism 26 to its high speed position.

In order that the water carried by the fabrics may be more readily removed without increasing the angular velocity of the basket unduly, I increase the diameter and peripheralspeed of the bundle of fabrics. This change is effected by translating them toa region of the basket of relatively large diameter.

During acceleration, the crcular bundle of fabrics collected upon the dome is moved outwardly by the progressively increasing centrifugal force,

first into engagement with the frusto-conical side wall l of the basketand, as the speed increases, along the inner surface of the side wall l5 until they reach the region of the basket of maximum diameter as shown in Figs. 4 and 4A. Movement of the fabrics from the dome is facilitated bythe construction of the bundle which, as

described heretofore, is formed of layers or sections, deposited successively by the vanes. Accordingly, the various separated layers or sections readily move outwardly within the annular region l9 into engagement with the side wall l5 of the basket. During the movement of the fabrics, just' described, the bundle is transformed into an annular formation. It will thus be seen that, after engagement with the portion of the side wall l5 of minimum diameter, the annular bundle is expanded as it moves centrifugally along the side wallto its region of maximum diameter. Rotation of the basket at a relatively high speed of, for example, 475 R. P. M. effectively centrifuges the water from the fabrics, it being understood that the peripheral speed of the bundle of fabrics is further increased by the expansion step Just described.

tion is reduced to a minimum and relatively high centrifuging speeds may be employed. A machine constructed as described heretofore, wherein -the washing and spinning speeds 51 and 475 R. P. M., respectively, has been successfully em played for practicing my improved method. This machine employs a A, H. P. standard washing machine motor which I have found is ample to accelerate the basket from 51 to 47 5 R. P. M. in 7 seconds. The basket has a maximum diameter of approximately 21 inches and is rotatable about an axis inclined 30 from the horizontal, the configuration and relative sizes of the vane and dome structure being substantially as shown in the drawing. This basket has a cubic content of 3663 cubic inches and effectively washes and centrifuges nine pounds of dry clothing. The divergence of the frusto-conical side walls of this basket is approximately 60.

Tests have shown that a cylinder of the configuration and size referred to heretofore may be operated with its axis of rotation inclined at lesser and greater angles from the horizontal than the specific example heretofore givenand that its speed of rotation may be greater or less than 51 R. P. M. during the washing and distributing periods. By actual tests, I have successfully practiced my method with the particular basket, referred to heretofore, operating about axes inclined at various angles between 20 and degrees from the horizontal'and also between washing speeds of R. P. M. and 34 R. P. M.

I have found that, where the inclination of the side walls should be varied in order to more effectively practice the method.

In this connection, there is a relation between the configuration of the dome or end wall upon which the fabrics are collected priorto acceleration and the speed of rotation of. such surface, it

being understood that the distribution of the fabrics on such surface is effected primarily by gravitational force and somewhat by centrifugal force. Likewise, a relation exists between the divergence of the side walls, along which the annular bundle of fabrics moves during acceleration, and the centrifuging speed in order to effeet the expansion of the bundle of fabrics and their movement to the region of the basket of maximum diameter. This movement is, of course, effected primarily by centrifugal action.

This invention .while not limited thereto, is particularly applicable to laundry machines of the domestic type, as, in this type of apparatus, it

is desirable that vibration be maintained at a minimum and also that the power requirement be maintained at the lowest possible value. Both My improved washing and centrifuging methods provide a highly efficient washing action, uniof these requirements are fulfilled by my improved method of distributing and accelerating the fabrics. Furthermore, the washing step in the method is highly efficient, this feature being of extreme importance in automatically-cycled machines wherein the duration of the washing pefiod i fixed or limited to a predetermined va ue.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

'What I claim is:

1. The method of cleaning fabrics and subse-.

quently centrifuging the cleaning fluid therefrom in a container having a generally circular end wall and side walls which extend therefrom and diverge outwardly from the axis of the container, which method includes partly filling the container with cleaning fluid and placing the fabrics to be cleaned in the container; repeatedly elevating the fabrics above the body of-cleaning fluid by the container side wall and then returning the fabrics by gravity to the fluid to clean the same by rotating the container with its axis inclined at an angle to the vertical; removing the body of clean ing fluid when the cleaning operation is completed; continuing to rotate the container about an axis inclined at an angle to the vertical and at such a relatively low speed in the absence of the body of cleaning fluid as to concentrate the fabrics in a relatively small circular bundle at the smaller end of the diverging wall with the bundle distributed with substantial uniformity about said axis; progressively increasing the speed of rotation of the container to a relatively high centrifuging Speed about an axis inclined from the vertical to expand the bundle of fabrics by centrifugal force and to a larger diameter of the diverging wall into an annular formation distributed with substantial uniformity about said axis, and separating fluid from the fabrics in the latter position by centrifugal action caused. by continued rotation of the bundle at said relatively high centrifuging speed.

2. The method of cleaning fabrics and subsequently centrifuging cleaning fluid therefrom in a container which includes a side wall circular in cross section and generally diverging outwardly from the axis of the container, which method includes partly fllling the container with cleaning fluid and placing the fabrics to be cleaned in the container, repeatedly elevating the fabrics above the body of cleaning fluid by the container wall and then returning the fabrics by gravity to the fluid to clean the same by rotating the container in a single direction about an axis inclincd at an acute angle from the vertical and with its side wall diverging upwardly; removing the body of cleaning fluid when the cleaning operation is completed; continuing to rotate the container at a relatively low speed in the absence of the body of cleaning fluid about an axis inclined at'an acute angle from the vertical and with its side wall diverging upwardly to concentrate the fabrics in a relatively small circular bundle at the smaller end of the diverging wall by the action of gravity on the bundle with the bundle distributed with substantial uniformity about said axis; progressively increasing the speed of rotation of the container about an axis inclined at an acute angle from the vertical to a relatively high centrifuging speed to first accelerate and then expand the fabrics by centrifugal force and against the action of gravity along, and to a larger diameter of the diverging wall into an annular formation distributed with substantial uniformity about said axis, and separating fluid from the fabrics in the latter position 7 by the centrifugal action of rotation of the bundle at said relatively high centrifuging speed.

3. The method of cleaning fabrics and centrifuging cleaning fluid therefrom in a generally frusto-conical container having a circular end wall and a side wall diverging therefrom, which method includes partly filling the container with cleaning fluid and placing the fabrics to be cleaned in the container; repeatedly elevating the fabrics above the body of cleaning fluid by the side wall and then returning the fabrics by gravity to the fluid to clean the fabrics by rotating the side wall about an axis inclined substantially from the vertical and horizontal and with its divergence extending upwardly; removing the body of cleaning fluid when the cleaning operation is completed; continuing torotate the fabrics at a relatively low speed in the absence of the body of cleaning fluid and about an axis inclined substantially from the vertical and horizontal and with its divergence extending upwardly to concentrate the fabrics in a relatively small circular bundle upon the circular end wall of the container by the action of gravity on the bundle with the bundle distributed with substantial uniformity about said axis; progressively increasing the speed of rotation of the fabrics to a relatively high centrifuging speed to expand the bundle of fabrics by centrifugal force and against the action of gravity along the side wall and to the portion thereof of maximum diameter into an annular formation distributed with substantial uniformity about an axis inclined substantially from the vertical and horizontal and separating fluid from the fabrics in the latter position by the centrifugal action of rotation of the bundle at said high centrifuging speed.

4. The method of cleaning fabrics and subsequently centrifuging the cleaning fluid therefrom in a container having a generally circular end wall and side walls which extend therefrom and diverge outwardly from its axis, which method includes partly filling the container with cleanplacing the fabrics to be cleaned in the container, repeatedly elevating the fabrics above the body of cleaning fluid by the container wall and then returning the fabrics by gravity to the fluid to clean the same by rotating the container at a speed of approximately 51 R. P. M. with its axis inclined at an angle of the order of 30 above the horizontal and with its divergence extending upwardly; removing the body of cleaning fluid when the cleaning operation is completed; continuing to rotate the container at substantially the same speed and about approximately the same inclined axis and with its divergence extending upwardly to concentrate the fabrics in a relatively small circular bundle at the smaller end of the diverging wall by the action of gravity on the bundle with the bundle distributed with substantial uniformity about said axis; progressively increasing the speed of rotation of the container about approximately the same inclined axis and with its divergence extending upwardly to a relatively high centrifuging speed to expand the fabrics by centrifugal force and against the action of gravity along, and to a larger diameter of the diverging wall into an annular formation distributed with substantial uniformity about said axis and separating fluid said relatively high centrifuging speed.

FRANK BRECKENRIDGE.

action of rotation of the bundle at. 

